DRA Ticket Tax

Motorists will not be pleased to learn that Albany has figured out another way to pick your pocket for your traffic ticket, and it’s more than the fine in most cases.

The Driver Responsibility Assessment is New York’s Stealth Tax. It comes to you with no warning, after you are finished with the Court System or Traffic Violations Bureau. Most folks don’t know to expect it, but the unpleasant envelope arrives about two weeks after the case is over. It is administered by DMV direct to the motorist, so you have to fight the ticket before the points go to DMV. Often, DRA savings alone will pay a legal fee, never mind savings on your insurance increases.

The Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) is a mandatory payment of $100.00 each year for three years to New York State, if a driver’s point total is 6 points or over in an eighteen month period. This applies to out of state drivers as well as New York licensed drivers. New York will suspend the privilege of out of state drivers who are suspended under the DRA to operate while in New York.

So, in addition to any Fines, Surcharges, and Court Fees – DRA Fees are applied as below: